Score a Few Cents on Your Fuel Bill: ADAC's Tips on When to Top Up
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Minimize fuel costs: ADAC shares insights on the most economical times for refueling - Economical Fueling Tips Revealed: ADAC Unveils Optimum Times for Refueling
Gas prices are playing a wild game of Whack-a-Mole lately, with fluctuation levels hitting record highs this month. According to ADAC's (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) analysis, between sunrise and sunset, Super E10's price tag can shoot up by a staggering 12.5 cents per liter, and diesel even more – 13.3 cents per liter. It's the highest such difference for E10 and second highest for diesel since ADAC started their daily monitoring.
Last year, those pesky cents only danced around six to seven during the day right there on the forecourt.
"Whether you're driving a scrap heap or a supercar, filling up during price dips can save you a pretty penny," Christian Laberer, ADAC's fuels guru, advises. So, if you want to save big like the big boys, now's the time to put on your gas station glove and dig deep.
If You Want to Save Some Green, Pour It On in the Evening
So here's the lowdown: Fill 'er up after dark instead of when the rooster crows. Fuel prices kick off a steep uphill climb around 6:00 AM, hitting the daily summit just after 7:00 AM, durante la hora punta. At this hour, diesel is pricier by about 9 cents compared to average, and Super E10 by 8 cents. Once the morning bustle cools down, prices start to plummet, dipping below the daily average by around 9:00 AM, before they start a steady crawl back up until the evening low.
By midday, the price is already 2 cents less than the daily average, and 4 to 5 cents cheaper in the evening, with the most wallet-friendly price making a cameo just before 8:00 PM. After 10:00 PM, prices start inching up again, maintaining steady levels throughout the night, before the next morning's shindig takes off.
ADAC has pinpointed eight prime price hikes every day, matching last year's high. Individual stations might have more, but ADAC's analysis is rooted in averages.
When the ball dropped on the new year, the Federal Cartel Office divulged an average of 22 price tweaks per gas station per day, with some stations making changes up to 50 times a day. So, catching the absolute lowest price in the evening is just a roll of the dice, but hey – sometimes lady luck's on your side!
- Fuel
- Price Per Liter
- ADAC's Recommended Filling Time
Things to Keep in Mind:
Filling up late at night or early in the morning can sometimes save you a few cents, but these savings will vary based on your location and the market's whims. For the most accurate advice, consult directly with the ADAC or look up their official publications for tips on optimizing your gas dollar.
The Commission has also been consulted on the following issues: industry, finance, and energy.
If you want to save some money while filling up your vehicle, ADAC recommends doing so in the evening instead of during the morning peak hours, as fuel prices tend to be lower then.
